An interface program has been developed for users of MS-DOS computers and the GenBank(R) gene sequence files in their diskette format. With the program a user is able to produce keyword, author and entry name listings of GenBank items or to select GenBank sequences for viewing, printing or decoding. The decode option uncompresses sequence data and yields a character file which has the format used on GenBank magnetic tapes. Program options are chosen by selecting items from command menus. While the program is designed primarily for hard disk operation, it also allows users of diskette-based computers to work with GenBank files.

A BASIC program has been devised for the hydropathic analysis of protein sequences according to the method of Kyte and Doolittle (1982). The program uses sequence data from input files that are created with a word processor and produces two types of output file: one contains a bar graph of the hydropathic profile in a format that can be easily edited; the other is a tabulation of hydropathic indices along a protein's sequence that can be used as input by the program for the production of a bar graph or as input into other graphics and analysis software. An MS-DOS microcomputer, operating under IBM BASICA or GWBASIC and a dot matrix printer with block graphics capabilities are the only hardware requirements for graphic display of hydropathy profiles. The program is capable of unattended analysis from a list of up to 15 input files.